The good and decent people of North Carolina’s First Congressional District deserve a lot better than they get many times.

When it comes to many of the modes of assistance passed out in droves by state and federal programs, we are often left lacking. We are given less because of less population. We are given less because we are not in power. We are given less because we don’t have the ability to affect an election.

The people of this district are, by in large, hard workers who give their all at jobs that many times take more than 40 hours per week to complete. They are often paid less than their counterparts across the state and nation.

The great people of eastern North Carolina, however, are mostly God-fearing people who love the land, attend church and still visit grandma’s house for Sunday afternoon lunch.

They give their all to make the lives of their children better than the lives they themselves knew.

The people of the First Congressional District are honest, caring and above board in their dealings. In many places, a man’s handshake is still his bond and his word can be taken to the bank.

Everyone deserves elected officials that are honest, trustworthy and sincerely working towards the best interest of the people they serve. That is especially true in our home district because the person representing us should be one of us.

If Thursday’s report that Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-1st) has pocketed funds that should have been returned following travel is true, he certainly doesn’t seem to be one of us.

Like anyone, Congressman Butterfield is innocent until proven guilty. That’s what the U.S. Constitution affords and what we should hold to.

If, however, our Congressman chose not to follow the law of the land; not to deal above board; and to skim money from the citizens he represents, we should also act accordingly.

We need elected officials that not only represent us, but represent truth and honesty. If ours doesn’t, then we should make sure he no longer represents us.

– The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald